The United Nations expressed concern regarding the Taliban’s recent arrests of Afghan women and girls in Kabul for alleged violations of the dress code, specifically relating to the hijab. This follows a May 2022 decree mandating women to cover themselves, with restrictions enforced by the Taliban government since regaining power in 2021. The U.N. mission has called for the rescinding of policies that restrict women’s rights and freedoms. The Taliban’s actions, which have included previous arrests for “bad hijab”, have led to international scrutiny and calls for the restoration of women’s rights.
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Malcolm Jamal Warner, former Cosby Show star, dead at 54. It’s truly shocking to hear about the passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner, especially given the circumstances – apparently, he drowned while vacationing in Costa Rica. Fifty-four feels incredibly young, and it’s hard to process the news, particularly when someone’s life is cut short so unexpectedly. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, and the fragility of life.
His untimely death, likely the result of a tragic accident, serves as a potent reminder of the ocean’s power. Regardless of how experienced a swimmer anyone is, it’s critical to be cautious of strong currents and riptides.… Continue reading
The Trump administration significantly reduced the staff of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, with approximately half of the remaining workers being fired or demoted on July 18. This move came despite bipartisan support for anti-trafficking efforts and prior focus on the issue during the administration’s first term. The cuts have also been met with disappointment within the office, especially since the former president has backtracked on releasing evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The reductions were a surprise, particularly given the previous interest from the administration and its earlier focus on combating human trafficking.
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In the second quarter, Google removed almost 11,000 YouTube channels and other accounts associated with state-backed propaganda efforts originating from China, Russia, and other entities. The majority of the channels taken down were linked to China, disseminating content in both Chinese and English that supported the People’s Republic of China and President Xi Jinping while commenting on U.S. affairs. Over 2,000 channels were removed due to their connection to Russia, featuring content in multiple languages that supported Russia and criticized the West. Additionally, Google eliminated channels linked to RT, the Russian state-controlled media outlet, which allegedly paid influencers to create content.
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As part of a newly enacted domestic policy bill, the United States will impose a “visa integrity fee” of at least $250 on international visitors requiring nonimmigrant visas, including tourists and business travelers. This fee, which is in addition to existing visa application costs, could significantly increase the cost of visiting the U.S., and is not required for countries under the Visa Waiver Program. While the fee is technically reimbursable after the trip, the mechanism for reimbursement and specifics of the policy’s rollout are currently unclear. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have not yet released further details of the program, but the U.S. Travel Association has already criticized the new fee, calling it a barrier to international visitors.
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Rep. Mark Green’s last day in office was Sunday, leaving four vacancies in the House of Representatives. Green, a Republican from Tennessee, announced his retirement last month, citing an opportunity in the private sector. His departure leaves the House with 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats. Green has endorsed Matt Van Epps to replace him, and several other Republican candidates have announced their campaigns as well.
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The Trump administration, under the direction of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, released over 230,000 pages of documents concerning the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fulfilling a promise to declassify files related to assassinations. This move, coordinated with various government agencies and touted by officials as a commitment to transparency, comes in the wake of continued public interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The release of the MLK files has not satisfied public demand for information on the Epstein investigation, which remains a major point of focus. Critics have expressed frustration, with many online expressing a desire for the release of the Epstein files instead of the MLK documents.
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Germany and the United States have jointly agreed to supply Ukraine with five Patriot air defense systems, according to Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The agreement was reached amidst an increase in Russian long-range strikes, including ballistic missiles that the Patriot system can counter. This announcement follows previous commitments from the US and other allies like Norway, all of which aim to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. The systems are crucial for protecting against large-scale attacks, as Russia intensifies its offensive with both drone and missile strikes.
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On Saturday, July 18th, the Harlan Police Department responded to a call reporting a gun being brandished at protesters. Marcus Slusher, 18, allegedly pointed a rifle at members of KY Resists from his truck after the group’s demonstration. According to protesters, Slusher followed them into a parking lot, displaying the weapon and yelling before police arrived. Slusher was subsequently arrested and charged with terroristic threatening and menacing.
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The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has released documents related to the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. This action comes in response to a request from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who sought greater transparency regarding the probe. The documents pertain to former FBI Director James Comey’s handling of the investigation. This disclosure comes as Bondi faces increased scrutiny over the handling of the Epstein files.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood